Other info. - "Ginseng", as this popular species is often called, is becoming very rare in Missouri and over much of its range due to over-collecting for medicinal use. The plant is believed to have medicinal uses ranging from an being an aphrodisiac to a cancer fighter. Because of the high demand for the plant, it is rarely found growing wild.
Populations of this species have been successfully cultivated and this may be its only chance for survival as a species.

Photographs taken in Ellington, MO., 6-29-01, and near Stegal Mountain, MO., 6-25-03 (DETenaglia); also near St. Louis (SRTurner).